Baker Foot Stool
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Glass, Fabric, Bamboo
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1990s American American Classical Swivel Chairs
Cotton, Wood, Down
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Chairs
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Tables
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Loveseats
Faux Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Fabric, Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Organic Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
20th Century American Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Sets
Fabric, Maple, Burl
Vintage 1970s American Bohemian Side Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1980s Thai Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak, Teak
Late 20th Century British Chesterfield Sofas
Leather
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21st Century and Contemporary Stools
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Futurist Footstools
Bouclé
20th Century North American Modern Stools
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Leather, Fruitwood
Vintage 1950s American Stools
21st Century and Contemporary Stools
Brass
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
- What is a foot stool called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A footstool is called an ottoman, hassock or pouf. The footstool is an umbrella term for furniture pieces used to elevate the foot. On 1stDibs, you can find a wide variety of antique and vintage footstools in different colors, styles and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, an ottoman can be used as a footstool. The ottoman, originally an upholstered seat or small bench without a back or arms, was a family’s main seating furniture, a way to merge floor seating with cushions and mats. It wasn’t until they were brought to Europe from Turkey, during the 18th century, that it became popular to join ottomans with other pieces of furniture, such as at the base of a chair. On 1stDibs, find a collection of ottomans.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024How many stools will fit at your 6-foot kitchen island depends on the width of the stools. Most counter-height stools are 16 to 20 inches wide. To determine the number that you can fit, divide 72 by the width measurement of your desired stool. For example, three 20-inch stools would fit along a 6-foot-long kitchen island on one side. Shop a wide variety of stools on 1stDibs.
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